Belt-idler.



No. 719,895. PATENTED FEB. a, 1903. W. E. SMITH.

' BELT IDLER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1902. 10 MODEL.

VViZZiamR. Smith Mfi MM zm A4 M mf W Fusion.

WILLIAM B. SMITH, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

BELT-IDLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,895, dated February 3, 1903.

Application filed July 10, 1902. Serial No. 115,104. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bridgeport, in the county'of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Belt-Idlers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in belt-idlers, such as are employed in factories, shops, &c., for retaininga uniform tension upon a belt to prevent it from slipping.

It is the object of my invention to improve upon devices of the above class by providing a yieldable idler with attached means for retaining the same against the belt at a uniform pressure at all times; further, to provide means for adjusting the pressure of the idler, at the same time providing means whereby such tension is yieldable, permitting the idler to slightly come and go with the varying positions of thebelt caused by the different speeds and work performed.

With the above in view my invention resides and consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts shown upon the accompanying drawing, wherein the belt-idler is illustrated in a perspective view and wherein suitable letters of reference are employed to designate the several parts.

As is desirable in devices of this kind, my idler is adapted to be suspended from the ceiling, side wall, or supported upon the floor, as the occasion may require. In the drawing it will be seen that the device is pivoted to the floor, which is the common way of applying it.

Referring in detail to the letters of reference marked upon the drawing, A indicates suitable pivotal blocks secured to the floor and in which are hinged a vertically-disposed bracket B. This bracket maybe constructed of wood framed together, as shown, or may be formed of suitable pipe or tubing. ,In the upper arm of the bracket is journaled the idler O, which is of the usual construction and which in practice engages the outer surface of the belt D. Oneend of the links E E is pivoted to this bracket,while the other end is likewise pivoted to vertically disposed arms F F of a rocker-shaft G, hinged in bearings H, secured to the post I. This rockershaft is further provided with a verticallydisposed operating-lever J, arranged in the guide K, secured to the post, and provided with a series of pin-holes L. A pin M is hinged upon the chain secured to the guide and is adapted to be inserted in either of the holes to the guide to serve as a stop for the operating-arm to limit its movement. One end of the tension-spring N is connected to this operating-arm, while the other end is operatively attached to an adjoining screw 0, secured in the end of the guide.

From'the above construction it will be noted that the bracket, links, and the, operatingarm are thrown forward or backward as desired, and if thrown forward against the belt, as shown in the drawing, the pin would be inserted to limit the amount of pressure upon the belt, at the same time allowing the pulley to yield with the tension of the spring as occasion may require. This pin of course can be adjusted to either of the holes, thus regulating the normal position of the pulley in accordance with the pressure desired.

By the employment of a device of this kind, wherein the idler is permitted to yield with the varying positions of a belt, the latter is not so liable to slip and wear, consequently will last much longer and do better Work while in service.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a belt-idler and a swinging bracket in which said idler is mounted, of a rocker-shaft bearing an arm, links to connect said arm with said bracket, an operating-lever connected with said rocker-shaft, a spring connected with the lever and adapted to throw it and the idler forward.

2. The combination with a belt-idler and a swinging bracket,in which said idler is mounted, of a rocker-shaft bearing an arm, links to connect said arm with said bracket, an operating-lever connected with said rocker-shaft, a spring connected with the lever and adapted to throw it and the idler forward and means for limiting such forward movement of the lever and pulley, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a belt-idler and a bracket of a rocker-shaft adjustably mounted in fixed bearings having vertically-disposed a forward position, a guide having a series of holes therein and a pin adapted to enter said holes to limit the movement of the operating member, substantially as described.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, this 24th day of June, A. D. 1902.

WILLIAM R. SMITH.

Witnesses:

O. M. NEWMAN, W. V. DEVITT. 

